The town of Seattle was a-buzz the weekend of November 19th – 21st as an estimated 1700+ steampunks arrived for the second annual Steamcon convention. This was another event I had to sit out on, sadly, since I was involved with The Anachronism NYC at Webster Hall that same weekend (and you can check out pictures here, here and here.) Staff and attendees from the event, however, volunteered their reports and pictures from the second-annual convention, which rocked the theme “Weird, Weird West.”

See what these folks have to say:

The man that needs no introduction, Jake von Slatt, who was one of the Guests of Honor, talks a bit about his experiences, including the panel he co-presented with the awesome mistress of the ExoSkeleton CabaretLibby Bulloff about Queering Steampunk Fashion. Donna Prior, the Games Chair, talks a bit about the tabletop, miniature, and LARPing adventures that took place this weekend. Staff member Kevin Steil, the Airship Ambassador, already provided a gigantic round-up and review of the SteamCon II media coverage, but also gives an exclusive report about his Steamcon experience. Justin Stanley (aka Emperor Justinian Stanislaus), known to most as the Emperor of the Red Fork Empire, gives an on-the-ground scoop in his attendee report.

And. as always, the Comments section is open for your own links, photos and more about your Steamcon experience!

The Reports:

Jake von Slatt

This year I had the distinct pleasure of attending Seattle’s SteamCon II as the “Artist Guest of Honor.” I had come to Seattle last year for the first SteamCon and enjoyed it greatly so I was very happy when I received the invitation from Diana Vick to be a GoH this year.

Steamcon II was a success in many ways; my specific draw to Steampunk is from a gaming point of view. I’ve been gaming a good many years and I’ve been honored to be involved with Steamcon from the beginning meetings.

SteamCon II: Weird Weird West, was an amazing convention in Seattle, Washington on November 19-21. With almost 2,000 guests for the weekend, the convention offered over 200 hours of programming ranging from discussion panels to continual music performances, high teas to the art show.

I flew in to Seattle on Thursday, at baggage claim I soon learn that my bag that I checked that had all my clothes and what have you did not join me. So after dealing with that I met with Lord Baron Joseph Vourteque of Steampunk Chicago and took the shuttle to the hotel.

The Pictures:

Many folks posted wonderful photos over on the Flickr SteamCon II group and there is also photographer Chris Hunt’s beautiful fashion shots here on his blog. Some notable images are below; please see the end for photographer bios.

The most beautiful wings. Image courtesy of Alison of Velvet Mechanism. Click for Flickr.

Laura K. is a photographer based in Washington. You can view more of her photography on Flickr.

Larissa Sayer is an artist, photographer, and geek-of-all-trades from Vancouver, BC. When she’s not gallivanting about town in crazy costumes, she posts photos on Flickr and occasionally remembers to feed her oft-neglected art blog.

Lex Machina is a photographer and digital artist from Detroit, MI. She shoots portraits, fashion and events, which illustrate and celebrate the seemingly endless subcultures that make up the modern counter-culture. You can see more of her work on Flickr.

Michael Hinsdale is a photographer based in Washington. You can view more of his photography on Flickr.

About Beyond Victoriana

The Nutshell ExplanationBeyond Victoriana is the oldest-running blog about multicultural steampunk and retro-futurism--that is, steampunk outside of a Western-dominant, Eurocentric framework. Founded in 2009, Beyond Victoriana focuses on non-Western cultures, underrepresented minorities in Western histories (Asian / Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, First Nation, Hispanic, black / African & other marginalized identities), and the cultural intersection between the West and the non-West.